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Can we get EN with teflon that isn't grey?

Hello,

For one of our application, we tried to plate our zamak5 parts with EN teflon to reduce wear and friction force. We need of course a very good corrosion resistance (cyclic salt mist, 4 times 2h slat mist + 7days damp heat). The result are very good. Only 1 bad point, the grey color of EN teflon, that doesn't match other electroplated parts with Cr over Ni finishing.
Is there a way to get rid of this grey color? looks very difficult to plated over the EN teflon (if not impossible).

Bertrand Dauchelle
product designer - Paris, France
October 14, 2009

EN+Teflon is like sandpaper. It cannot be bright because of its discontinuous surface. The grey color comes from the diffraction of light. Sorry, there is no way to fool light and overcome physics. On the other hand, bright EN can be added on top immediately after its processing while it is still active.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
October 15, 2009

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First of two simultaneous responses --

I think that adding regular EN over teflon EN is defeating the purpose of the teflon EN, at least during a break in process.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
October 16, 2009

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

Thanks!
Could be an idea to add bright EN on top of it, the bad thing is that I'll loose the hydrophobic properties of EN+PTFE. Worth a try, if my supplier doesn't kill me with the price!

Bertrand Dauchelle
- Paris, France
October 19, 2009

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Can someone please explain why you put the PTFE into the nickel and then coat it with electroless nickel - surely you will lose the lubricious benefits of the PFTE? Why not use a PTFE/electroless nickel composite instead, although you may find the grey colour problem comes back....

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
October 27, 2009